No bad blood with Dutch insists Ireland manager ahead of World Cup clash

Carla Ward insists there is no bad blood between herself and Netherlands counterpart Arjan Veurink in the wake of the March meeting in Utrecht. The Netherlands won that game 2-1, courtesy of an 82nd minute Lineth Beerensteyn winner, but events before and after the game annoyed Ireland manager Ward . The Dutch FA were forced to deny suggestions that they went back on an agreement by both sides not to water the pitch, while afterwards there was no handshake between Veurink and Ward.

Afterwards, the Girls in Green boss said: “I thought a few things were disrespectful in the last couple of days, but we'll go about our business.” When quizzed on whether that would add an extra edge to Friday’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh return game, Ward insisted that there was “no added motivation other than we’re coming up against a top, top side.” She said: “No, not at all. I think that question was posed to me rather than me directly coming out with that, if you remember. “But there were a few things that happened. It happens, club, country, that's football. There's always going to be little moments that you try and get the extra edge. “I've done it plenty of times in my career. “It's another game of football.

I admire the Netherlands a lot. I've got a good relationship with their manager and they've got an unbelievable squad.” Ward can boast a fully fit squad, with just suspended duo Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy missing out. They will both be back for the France game next Tuesday in Grenoble. Two wins would secure an automatic place at next summer’s World Cup finals.

It’s a monumental challenge, however, against two of the best teams in world football, and Ward spoke of her expectations for the games. “Look, we always strive to be better all the time, that’s what we’ll continue to do,” she said. “No matter who's in front of us, we want to be better in everything we do. “This group, as I always talk about, they're ambitious, they're hungry to kick on and it'll be no different. “We'll take one game at a time, as I keep saying, and tomorrow night is another opportunity to test ourselves against the very best. Come the end of that, we'll see where we're at.” Ireland have two wins from their two games in Páirc Uí Chaoimh - in 2024 against France and last year against Slovenia. “Two wins from two, and I think everyone loves being down here and I think the people of Cork make an awful lot of noise,” said Ward. “We heard that last year and if we can get those numbers up in the next couple of days I think it is going to be an unbelievable occasion.” Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond .